Network setup: "CONNECT TO" window

[Guest]

When trying to access a new PC on my workgroup network through windows
explorer, a small "Connect to" windows comes up with the user name blanked
out and not chngeable (with the username being the computer name followed by
a backslash and "Guest", like "HOME-PC\GUEST", not the actual name of the
user on the PC) and asking for a password. There is no password setup for
this PC. This problem seems to be random, as I can access another PC on the
same workgroup network without any problems. Guest account is disabled on
all 3 PCs in the workgroup, firewall settings have been setup for trusted
PCs. Sometimes the problem seems to resolve itself after a restart, but not
this time.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

When trying to access a new PC on my workgroup network through windows
explorer, a small "Connect to" windows comes up with the user name blanked
out and not chngeable (with the username being the computer name followed by
a backslash and "Guest", like "HOME-PC\GUEST", not the actual name of the
user on the PC) and asking for a password. There is no password setup for
this PC. This problem seems to be random, as I can access another PC on the
same workgroup network without any problems. Guest account is disabled on
all 3 PCs in the workgroup, firewall settings have been setup for trusted
PCs. Sometimes the problem seems to resolve itself after a restart, but not
this time.

Run the Network Setup Wizard on the new PC. That's often all that's
needed to fix this problem. If that doesn't do the job, type this
line at a command prompt on the new PC:

net user guest /active:yes

Enabling or disabling the Guest account in Control Panel | User
Accounts has nothing to do with accessing another computer over the
network. It determines whether someone can log on as Guest at the
local keyboard.

The problem isn't related to firewall settings. The password prompt
indicates that the new PC is receiving the connection request.
Firewalls can block access, but they don't cause password prompts.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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